Game Review: Funbrain.com - Having fun with Funbrain

My tutee has hooked me on some fun children's educational gaming sites such as FunBrain's Math Arcade. I went to the site when I was studying for my GREs to speed up my math reflexes. It helped me and it was fun and challenging. I believe those are the keys to what makes a game fun.

What made the Funbrain arcade fun:

• Pace and Length of Gameplay - The game is set up like a traditional board game where you progress towards the goal. Each block on the game board is a short round of play that if you pass moves you ahead. I like the idea of short games because it keeps you engaged by rewarding small steps in progress. Your progress is reinforced by the gameboard. You can go back and replay a game and return to where you are in the map by using secret codes you collect along the way.


• Variety of Challenges- A game is fun when you are constantly given new puzzles and challenges to solve. I personally get motivated by figuring out new levels and fumbling around. I don't like to read instructions. So what I like about the fun brain arcade is they can string together different puzzles. It's successful because it is all themed around math and they use the menu.


• Good Graphics and Sound- Always key. They say if you notice the sound its bad. The sound didn't get in the way at all. You can tell the site is geared towards kids because of the colors and line art they use.


• Playability- No bugs please. A game is playable if the rules are consistent and logical. The Funbrain math arcade was fun because I could figure out how to play, I didn't need to install anything and I didn't need to read the instructions. To me that's a sign of a fun game.